Kenya Veterinary Board unveils ambitious 2023-2027 strategic plan to boost animal resource sector

KENYA – The Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) marked a significant milestone in its mission to uplift Kenya’s animal resource sector with the launch of its third strategic plan, which spans 2023-2027. 

The event, held on 23rd November 2024 at the KVB headquarters in Kabete, Nairobi, was officiated by Dr. Andrew Karanja, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development. 

Dr Karanja commended the board for its dedication to developing a comprehensive strategic framework, which he noted would be instrumental in enhancing veterinary standards, supporting Kenya’s livestock value chains, and ultimately driving economic growth.

Accompanied by Jonathan Mueke, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Livestock Development, and KVB’s Managing Director, Margaret Rugut Kibogy, Dr Karanja emphasised the critical role of livestock in Kenya’s economy. 

“The livestock sector is a key contributor to job creation, food security, and trade. Through initiatives like this strategic plan, we can address pressing challenges, uphold standards, and fortify Kenya’s position as a supplier of safe, high-quality animal products on the global stage,” he remarked. 

Strategic vision to address key challenges

Developed in alignment with key policies such as the Kenya Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, and various international protocols, the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan seeks to tackle four core challenges. 

These include inadequate enforcement of veterinary standards, limited access to quality veterinary services, a weak monitoring and evaluation framework, and insufficient institutional capacity. To address these issues, the KVB has laid out four primary objectives:

1. Enhancing Compliance and Standards Enforcement: The board plans to strengthen the enforcement of veterinary standards, reduce malpractices, and support the country’s public health initiatives.
2. Improving Access to Quality Veterinary Services: Efforts to improve access include expanding veterinary training, bolstering inspection protocols, and creating public awareness of animal health standards.
3. Strengthening Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Management: The KVB aims to ensure the effectiveness of veterinary services across the country by enhancing data collection and sharing.
4. Bolstering Institutional Capacity: Investments in resource mobilisation, human resource development, and digital infrastructure will enable the KVB to more effectively deliver on its mandate.

Strategic investment and expected outcomes

The plan’s implementation will require a budget of KES 1.75 billion (US$13.6 million) over five years. Among the allocations, KES 115.7 (US$0.5) million will be dedicated to improving compliance with veterinary standards, while KES 812.86 (US$6.3) million will focus on streamlining KVB operations. 

Margaret Rugut Kibogy expressed confidence that this budget would be well-spent, asserting that the successful execution of the plan hinges on government backing and broad collaboration across sectors.

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) has highlighted the increasing demand for animal-based food products in the country, driven by population growth. 

KVB’s Chairman, Dr. Joan Magero, noted that the strategic initiatives aim to propel livestock sector growth from 4.4% to 7.1% over the next five years. 

“We are aiming for regulatory improvements and broader socioeconomic benefits. By implementing this plan, we hope to expand our tax base, combat hunger, and enhance foreign exchange,” said Dr. Magero.

Learning from the past, embracing the future

Reflecting on previous strategic cycles, the board identified several obstacles faced in its 2018-2022 period, including the lack of a monitoring and evaluation framework, changes in policy, and operational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The lessons from these challenges have informed the new plan, which emphasises business continuity and staggered appointments for board members to prevent disruptions.

Dr. Karanja acknowledged the complex landscape KVB navigates, especially as the board contends with enforcement barriers and limited resources.

He encouraged ongoing partnerships with government agencies, county governments, and the private sector to overcome these challenges and elevate veterinary standards across Kenya.

By setting clear goals for enforcement, quality assurance, and institutional capacity, the KVB aims to make measurable improvements in the quality of veterinary services and public health. The strategic goals are expected to yield robust results across four key areas:

–Veterinary Standards Compliance and Enforcement: Enhanced inspection and licensing of animal health providers will help ensure the safety and quality of Kenya’s animal products.

– Educational and Professional Competence: Training and certification programs will foster a culture of compliance within the sector.

–Evidence-based Advisories: The board plans to use improved data systems to provide timely advisories to inform national and local policy decisions.

– Institutional Capacity Strengthening: Decentralizing KVB operations and enhancing human resource capacity will allow the board to fulfil its mandate more effectively.

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